CONVERSATIONS with Ed Tracy - 2018 YEAR IN REVIEW

Two epic stage comeback stories, stand out performances large and small, naughty puppets, brilliant images and engaging conversations have made 2018 truly memorable. In looking back, I realized that the gifted artists that follow (listed alphabetically) have achieved important creative milestones in 2018. At every turn, these talented performers have been part of something larger than themselves in this most collaborative of all art forms. I eagerly await the new year of exciting theater, music, dance and the opportunity to tell you all about it. See you in the lobby. et

Avenue Q | Jackson Evans and Leah Pawlik – In 2014, Jackson Evans (Princeton) and Leah Pawlik (Kate Monster) led the “Avenue Q” ensemble to an extended run of over 170 performances at Mercury Theater Chicago. This year, director L. Walter Stearns brought back the hit show with Evans and Pawlik in their roles. Adding to the revival, Rick Lyons, puppet master for the original and a member of the Broadway company, worked with the ensemble during the rehearsal process. The magical combination resulted in another naughty, mega-hit – a total of over 355 performances. You can still see the show (with Andrew Lund and Molly Smith) through December 30th. 2018 PODCAST PicksInSix

Photographer Michael Brosilow – 2018 marked Michael Brosilow’s 32nd year and counting as one of Chicago’s top theatre production photographers. Brosilow’s extensive photo archive of over 1M images is a roadmap for productions at theaters that have come and gone in Chicago’s vibrant ensemble theatre community. In an age where digital technology has vastly improved our ability to capture and deliver high quality images through social media, Brosilow continues to sharpen our focus and document the work of Chicago’s rich ensemble theater community.  2018 PODCAST

Lili-Anne Brown -- If hard work and dedication to the students, actors and creative artists she inspires were alone a measurement of career success, Lili-Anne Brown might have considered retiring years ago. Instead, the Northwestern alum, who has been a fixture on and off stage for twenty years, rededicated her time and energy to forging new partnerships within the community. The result:  the wildly successful American Blues Theater production of “The Buddy Holly Story” at Stage 773 and the Firebrand|TimeLine coproduction of “Caroline, Or Change” at The Den Theatre. On the horizon: Directing “Lottery Day,” a new work by Ike Holter at Goodman Theatre. 2018 PODCAST PicksInSix

Sydney Charles -- Court Theatre presented “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” earlier this year with Sydney Charles in the role of the all-knowing maid Tillie. Then came the role of Second in Goodman’s epic production of Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3).” And, you could see Charles as Fannie in American Blues Theater’s “Flyin’ West” at Stage 773. Unique roles. Brilliant performances. Much more to come. Stay tuned. PicksInSix

Jenna Coker-Jones and Christopher Kale Jones – The one-two punch of this dynamic duo, who recently returned full-time to Chicago, is being felt all over town. Kale Jones, a former touring ‘Jersey Boy,’ staged his memorable Bobby Darin show to sold out houses at Mercury Theater in January and then launched it with Michael Ingersoll’s Artists Lounge Live at Marriott Theatre. Coker-Jones’ critically acclaimed turn in “Company” at Venus Cabaret was followed by a show-stopping workout as Brooke Wyndham in Paramount’s “Legally Blonde.” Keep an eye out for these two. PicksInSix

Ed Gero – When a project like “The Originalist” comes along, particularly when the Supreme Court is so prominently in the public eye, is it more about art imitating life, or the other way around? Ed Gero’s compelling performance as associate justice Antonin Scalia, rooted in a long development process that included firsthand insight and personal access that other actors only dream of, allowed a unique view of our judicial system. Although Scalia never saw the performance, through Gero’s superb work, we had the opportunity to explore judicial philosophy and the pivotal decisions that impact our way of life. A fascinating conversation. 2018 PODCAST PicksInSix

Sophie Grimm and Vasily Deris – The busy, multi-talented stage performers Sophie Grimm and Vasily Deris appeared together in their own cabaret show earlier this year at Davenport’s. Grimm gave a memorable Paramount debut performance as Paulette in “Legally Blonde” while Deris was ripping up the house as the Big Bopper in American Blues Theater’s monster-hit “The Buddy Holly Story” at Stage 773. Watch for more of the same in 2019. PicksInSix

GYPSY | E. Faye Butler & Michael Weber – 2018 will forever be remembered for E. Faye Butler’s riveting portrayal of Mama Rose in Porchlight Music Theatre’s blockbuster production of “Gypsy,” directed by Michael Weber, whose conversation about his own take on the production was one of the most downloaded podcasts of the year. E FAYE BUTLER 2017 PODCAST | MICHAEL WEBER 2018 PODCAST PicksInSix

Anthony Irons -- Early this year, Anthony Irons appeared in Shattered Globe’s “How To Use A Knife” directed by Sandy Shinner at Stage 773. As Steve, the dishwasher/ex-patriot on the run, Irons rendered a powerful and measured performance. Then it was on to Goodman Theatre for “Support Group for Men” directed by Kimberly Senior. In Mary Zimmerman’s “The Steadfast Tin Soldier,” which runs through January 6th at Lookingglass Theatre Company, Irons is a member of the ensemble – any one of which could be mentioned here – whose creatively inspired characters bring the Andersen fable to fanciful life. PicksInSix

Stacey Keach | PAMPLONA – When the lights came up on Stacey Keach as Ernest Hemingway in this year’s production of the one-man show “Pamplona” at Goodman Theatre, it was hard not to think about another opening, a year earlier, when Keach suffered a heart attack in mid-performance which resulted in the cancellation of the run. Keach’s courage, stamina and skill allowed him to return to the Goodman this season to finish what he and director Robert Falls set out to do. Keach displayed the grit that has made him one of America’s truly gifted actors, giving one of the top performances of the year. Bravo! PicksInSix

Paul Marinaro – A year ago this month, one of Chicago’s premier jazz vocalists was confined to a hospital bed after emergency surgery. Family and friends rallied to his side as Paul Marinaro faced a life-threatening situation and then a difficult recovery period. Surpassing all expectations, Marinaro attended a benefit concert at Jazz Showcase to sing with Sheila Jordan. In May, Marinaro masterfully performed a ‘Salute to Sinatra at the Sands’ at the Studebaker Theater with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra. A full slate of concerts and performances in recent months have Paul Marinaro solidly back in the game. Catch him at Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club and his monthly gig at Scott Stegman’s Winter’s Jazz Club, where you can hear him next on January 8th & 22nd. 2016 PODCAST WINTER’S

Elizabeth Stenholt – A step beyond the rain, somewhere over the rainbow, is the captivating debut performance of Elizabeth Stenholt in the role of Dorothy in the Paramount Theatre production of “Wizard of Oz.” Poised beyond her years on the expansive Paramount stage, Stenholt joined a seasoned professional company including Kyle Adams, Carl Draper, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Caron Buinis, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp, Gene Weygandt and Nessa, a terrific Toto, to electrify the time-honored classic. You can still see it for yourself through January 6th. PicksInSix

Zachary Stevenson | The Buddy Holly Story – Zachary Stevenson’s move to Chicago from Toronto gave Chicagoans the chance to see the remarkably talented performer as Buddy Holly in the American Blues Theater production of “The Buddy Holly Story” directed by Lili-Anne Brown. If you saw this spellbinding performance, you know that start to finish it was one of the most exciting and captivating musical performances of the year. PicksInSix 

Larry Yando – Earlier this year, Larry Yando appeared in the international tour of Peter Brooks’ Battlefield. Yando returned to Chicago and the role of Dodge in the searing Writers Theatre production of “Buried Child,” directed by Kimberly Senior. Then Yando landed in Chicago Shakespeare Company’s enchanting “Nell Gwynn” before things got back to Christmas present and his 11th turn as Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” at Goodman, a performance that should be on everyone’s must-see list. Now through December 31st. 2018 PODCAST PicksInSix

Mary Zimmerman -- The holiday season at Lookingglass Theatre was bright with Mary Zimmerman’s new project, a staged version of the Hans Christian Andersen fable “The Steadfast Tin Soldier.” Presented in pantomime with original music, whimsical set and ingenious costumes, Zimmerman and company have created an enduring classic that is perfect fun for the whole family. Playing through January 13th. Coming up in 2019: Zimmerman directs “The Music Man” at Goodman Theatre and “Metamorphoses,” a coproduction of Berkley Repertory and Guthrie Theater. 2018 PODCAST

Petterino’s Monday Night Live: Chicago’s Impromptu Musical Showcase – 2018 Highlights: Cast members from Hamilton (twice!) at Petterino’s Monday Night Live celebrating 12 years in 2019. Denise McGowan Tracy and Beckie Menzie hosted cast members from Lyric’s “Jesus Christ Superstar,” ABT’s “Buddy Holly,” the national tour of “Waitress,” Porchlight’s “Gypsy,” Mercury Theater Chicago’s “Avenue Q” and Venus ensembles of “Company” and “Pippin,” as well as old friends and new from the worlds of cabaret, jazz and opera. Petterino’s MNL

Happy New Year!

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